Built for BlackBerry Reintroduced to the Developer Community

BlackBerry has re-launched its Built for BlackBerry program to provide developers with a more simple and clear path to achieving Built for BlackBerry status, a designation that tells consumers that a BlackBerry app delivers the signature BlackBerry 10 experience.

The revitalized Built for BlackBerry program is part of an effort to ensure that BlackBerry World contains the quality applications that customers want. The program will ensure that an increasing percentage of apps in the store provide seamless performance and an integrated experience with BlackBerry 10 features such as the Hub or BBM.

BlackBerry is also focused on being the strongest platform business partner for developers. The new Built for BlackBerry program works to increase discoverability, a key hurdle for app and business success. In fact, in the week when featured on the Carousel measured against the time not featured Built for BlackBerry apps have increased daily downloads by an average of 230%.

Built for BlackBerry apps will now have more regular placement on BlackBerry World carousels and microbanners, as well as a new top Built for BlackBerry list that customers can easily find and search. Built for BlackBerry apps will also have an exclusive results area in app searches.

The program also includes a refreshed criteria checklist that clarifies the requirements for developers and a new submission process that enables a faster path to be part of Built for BlackBerry.

For those new to developing for the BlackBerry 10 platform, BlackBerry is hosting a series of Jam Starter Sessions around the U.S. beginning in September. BlackBerry Jam Starter Sessions will provide developers hands-on support and will include rewards for developers whose apps receive Built for BlackBerry certification. More details on dates and locations are forthcoming.

Built for BlackBerry is a simple way to find and explore apps that take advantage of the BlackBerry 10 platform.

What does this mean for developers?

Increased exposure and discoverability of their app

A noted designation that can be leveraged in app promotion

Opportunities to be featured in BlackBerry app promotions

What is the BlackBerry 10 signature app experience?

The BlackBerry 10 signature app experience requires vendors to follow the BlackBerry 10 guidelines to deliver a familiar experience to customers, i.e. swipe back to exit an app, swipe down for application menu with settings, swipe up for action menu, use of context menus, etc, without unnecessarily complicating BlackBerry app development.

How does a developer build for the signature BlackBerry 10 experience?

It is simple to implement the BlackBerry 10 experience into apps – both for native, HTML5 and AIR apps

Native – Cascades auto implements these controls for the developer

HTML5 – BlackBerry provides a bootstrap template for developer Phonegap or HTML5 app projects to use

1 Comment

Honestly the Built for BlackBerry (BFB) program is great. Never really had much problem with BFB apps. The only one that I regretted purchasing was Magellan Compass. It’s really laggy and cluttered. Ugh. Good thing Bellshare released BeMaps 10 Pro. Now, my mapping needs are filled and I can delete that ugly Magellan Compass app. A waste of money but I’ll live and learn. Wonder how that app slipped through??